A Mechanical Test of the Equivalence Principle
| Scientific Paper | |
|---|---|
| Title | A Mechanical Test of the Equivalence Principle |
| Author(s) | John W McAlister, Joe F McAlister |
| Keywords | mechanical test, equivalence principle, point-mass, accelerating reference frame |
| Published | 1992 |
| Journal | Galilean Electrodynamics |
| Volume | 3 |
| Number | 3 |
| Pages | 43-49 |
Abstract
Tests compare the motion, over time, of a small "point-mass" revolving via connecting rod around a low friction pivot pin which is attached to a much larger mass for two cases: 1) revolving vertically with the larger mass stationary in earth's gratitational field, 2) revolving horizontally with a constant horizontal acceleration applied to the larger mass. In the accelerating reference frame, the oscillator suffers an energy loss over time that seems to be caused by an undefinnot present in the gravitational case, in apparent violation of the Equivalence Principle.